The attackers were waiting outside the home of Malalai Kakar, head of the city of Kandahar’s department of crimes against women, and opened fire on her car, Kandahar government spokesman Zalmay Ayoobi told AFP.

“Today between 7 am and 8 am when she was (in her car) outside her house and going to her job, some gunmen attacked,” Ayoobi said. “Malalai Kakar died in front of her house. Her son was wounded.”

A doctor in the city’s main hospital said Kakar, in her late 30s, had been shot in the head.“She died on the spot and her son was badly injured and is in a coma,” said the doctor, who declined to let his name be used.